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Hurricanes Impact Jobs

“If your paycheck depends on the weather and the clock.” (Garth Brooks) Job growth plunged in September due to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

The Labor Department reported that payroll growth declined by 33,000 jobs versus the 75,000 increase in new jobs expected. July job growth was revised lower by 51,000 to 138,000, while August was revised higher by 13,000 to 169,000 new jobs. This was the first negative reading in seven years, but the numbers will most likely reverse higher in the coming months as Americans rebuild after the devastation in the hurricane-impacted areas.

All was not lost within the report, though. Hourly earnings surged by 0.5 percent from August to September versus the 0.2 percent expected. Earnings are up 2.9 percent year-over-year. In addition, the unemployment rate fell to 4.2 percent, the lowest level in 16 years.

Home prices continued to heat up through summer. Data analytics firm CoreLogic reported that home prices, including distressed sales, rose 6.9 percent from August 2016 to August 2017, up from a gain of 6.7 percent annually in July. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.9 percent from July to August. Looking ahead, prices are expected to rise 4.7 percent from August 2017 to August 2018.

At this time, home loan rates remain historically attractive.

Wholesale and consumer inflation and retail sales will capture attention at week’s end. Bond markets are closed Monday in observance of Columbus Day.